myMERIDIAN

El-Ada Community Action Partnership w/ Katrina Vincent

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:00:00 GMT

On this installment of myMERIDIAN, host Mayor Robert Simison interviews Katrina Vincent, the executive director of El-Ada Community Action Partnership. Serving Ada, Elmore, and Owyhee Counties, El-Ada CAP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that was established in 1967 as a part of the Economic Opportunity Act. The organization works to reduce poverty, revitalize low-income communities, and to empower low-income families and individuals to become fully self-sufficient. To learn more, visit the El-Ada CAP website.

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Boys and Girls Club of Ada County w/ Abe Alford

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 20:00:00 GMT

On this installment of myMERIDIAN, host Mayor Robert Simison interviews Abe Alford, the unit director of Meridian's Boys & Girls Club. The Boys & Girls Club provides a safe, affordable place for youth in grades K-12 to go before and after school and during summer to grow beyond the classroom. Each club provides a wealth of programs and activities to prepare young people for real-world success. To learn more, visit the Boys & Girls Club of Ada County website.

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Faces of Hope w/ Paige Dinger

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 17:00:00 GMT

On this installment of myMERIDIAN, host Mayor Robert Simison interviews Paige Dinger, the executive director of Faces of Hope, an Ada County nonprofit with locations in Meridian and Boise. Faces of Hope serves men, women, and children experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, stalking, or human trafficking. Their dedicated team wraps around an individual or family and provides crisis intervention services to stabilize them at no cost. To learn more, visit the Faces of Hope website.

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Meridian Foodbank w/ Executive Director Kent Christensen

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 06:00:00 GMT

Meridian Mayor Robert E. Simison chats with Kent Christensen, Executive Director & Treasurer of the Meridian Foodbank.

Learn more about the Meridian Foodbank on their website: https://meridianfoodbank.org/

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West Ada Education Foundation w/ Executive Director Jamie Burton

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 06:00:00 GMT

Meridian Mayor Robert E. Simison chats with Jamie Burton, Executive Director of the West Ada Education Foundation, about the Foundation's vital role in supporting teachers and students in the West Ada School District.

Learn more about the West Ada Education Foundation on their website: https://westadafoundation.org/

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Rotary Club of Meridian w/ Janice Fulkerson

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 13:12:00 GMT

Meridian Mayor Robert E. Simison chats with Janice Fulkerson about Rotary International and the local Meridian chapter of the club.

Learn more about the Meridian chapter here: https://portal.rotary5400.org/clubinfo/meridian-1

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Valley Regional Transit w/ CEO Elaine Clegg

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 13:00:00 GMT

Meridian Mayor Robert Simison chats with the CEO of Valley Regional Transit, Elaine Clegg, about all things public transit.

Learn more about VRT here: https://www.valleyregionaltransit.org/

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Idaho College of Medicine (ICOM) w/ President Tracy Farnsworth

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 12:00:37 GMT

Meridian Mayor Robert Simison chats with the President of Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine, Tracy Farnsworth, who leads Idaho's first medical school.

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Meridian Senior Center w/ Lisa Hansen & Mike Thompson

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 11:00:00 GMT

Lisa Hansen, Executive Director of the Meridian Senior Center, and Mike Thompson, Marketing & Communications Specialist at the Meridian Senior Center, join Mayor Simison for a conversation about the Meridian Senior Center / Center at the Park, an independent non-profit serving adults aged sixty and older in Ada County and beyond.

For more information about the Meridian Senior Center, please visit: https://www.meridianseniorcenter.org/

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(S03E03) JustServe w/ Bryn Booker

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 12:00:13 GMT

Bryn Booker joins Mayor Simison for a conversation about JustServe, a free platform that connects volunteers with service opportunities in their areas.

For more information about JustServe, please visit: https://www.justserve.org/

For more information about #DoTheRight Day in the City of Meridian, please visit: https://meridiancity.org/dotheright

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(S03E02) Meridian PAL w/ Brian Simer

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 10:35:56 GMT

Brian Simer joins Mayor Simison for a conversation about the Meridian Police Activities League and the opportunities it provides for youth in sports.

For more information about Meridian PAL, please visit: https://www.meridianpal.org/

For more information about the Meridian PAL scholarship program, please visit: https://www.meridianpalscholarship.org/

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(S03E01) Meridian Chamber of Commerce w/ CEO & President Sean Evans

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 18:41:30 GMT

Sean Evans, CEO and President of the Meridian Chamber of Commerce, joins Mayor Simison for a conversation about local businesses, economic development, and more.

For more information about the Meridian Chamber of Commerce, please visit: https://meridianchamber.org/

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(S02E08) COMMUNITY PARTNERS 101 - Ada County Coroner & Ada County Paramedics w/ Coroner Rich Riffle and Chief Paramedic Shawn Rayne

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 02:59:27 GMT

Ada County Coroner Rich Riffle & Ada County Chief Paramedic Shawn Rayne join Mayor Simison for a conversation about emergency services, forensic analysis, and pathology services in Ada County.

For more information on the Ada County Coroner, please visit: https://adacounty.id.gov/coroner/

For more information on the Ada County Paramedics, please visit: https://adacounty.id.gov/paramedics/

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(S02E07) COMMUNITY PARTNERS 101 - Ada County Sheriff's Office w/ Sheriff Matt Clifford

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 09:06:05 GMT

Ada County Sheriff Matt Clifford joins Mayor Simison to talk about the various responsibilities of his Sheriff's Office.

For more information on the Ada County Sheriff's Office, please visit: https://adacounty.id.gov/sheriff/

For more information on the Bridge Youth and Family Resource Center, please visit: https://adacounty.id.gov/thebridge/

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(S02E06) COMMUNITY PARTNERS 101 - Ada County w/ Ada County Board of Commissioners Chair Rod Beck

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 22:12:15 GMT

Mayor Simison talks about all things Ada County with Rod Beck, Chair of the Ada County Board of Commissioners.

For more information on Ada County and its various departments, please visit: https://adacounty.id.gov/

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(S02E05) COMMUNITY PARTNERS 101 - Ada County Prosecutor's Office w/ Ada County Prosecutor Jan Bennetts

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 14:31:14 GMT

Jan Bennetts, Ada County Prosecutor, joins Mayor Simison to talk about the Prosecutor's Office.

For more information on the Ada County Prosecutor's Office, please visit: https://adacounty.id.gov/prosecutor/

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(S02E04) COMMUNITY PARTNERS 101 - Meridian Library District w/ Director Nick Grove and Trustee Chair Meg Larsen

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 23:31:45 GMT

Nick Grove, director of the Meridian Library District, and Meg Larsen, Chair of the MLD Board of Trustees, join Mayor Simison to talk about Meridian libraries.

To learn more about the Meridian Library District, please visit: https://www.mld.org/

To learn more about the Friends of the Meridian Library, please visit:https://www.friendsofmld.org/

To learn more about the Meridian History Center located at Meridian City Hall, please visit: https://www.mld.org/history

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(S02E03) COMMUNITY PARTNERS 101 - Ada Count Weed, Pest & Mosquito Abatement w/ Director Adam Schroeder

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 22:18:40 GMT

Adam Schroeder, director of the unified Ada County Weed, Pest, & Mosquito Abatement agency, talks with Mayor Simison about the three divisions in his agency and offers up a wealth of information about noxious weeds, pests, and mosquitos.

To learn more about Ada County Weed, Pest, & Mosquito Abatement, please visit: https://adacounty.id.gov/weedpestmosquito/

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(S02E02) COMMUNITY PARTNERS 101 - West Ada Recreation District w/ Board Member Shaun Wardle

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 21:43:03 GMT

Shaun Wardle, one of West Ada Recreation District's board members, joins Mayor Simison to talk about the 50-year history of WARD as a provider of aquatic recreation through the Meridian Pool as well as WARD's stewardship of Fuller Park and what is now Lakeview Golf Club.

To learn more about WARD, please visit: http://www.westernada.org/

To learn more about the Meridian Pool, now operated by the City of Meridian's Parks & Rec Department, please visit: https://meridiancity.org/parks/meridian-pool/

To learn more about Lakeview Golf Club, now operated by the City of Meridian's Parks & Rec Department, please visit: https://www.lakeview-golf.com/

To learn more about Fuller Park and other parks operated by the City of Meridian's Parks & Rec Department, please visit: https://meridiancity.org/parks/current-parks/

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(S02E01) COMMUNITY PARTNERS 101 - West Ada School District w/ Superintendent Derek Bub and Trustee Chair Lori Frasure

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 15:59:55 GMT

Superintendent Dr. Derek Bub and Board of Trustees Chair Lori Frasure join Mayor Simison to talk about the West Ada School District (WASD).

For more information about West Ada, please visit https://www.westada.org/.

For more information about the West Ada Foundation, please visit https://www.westada.org/o/educationfoundation.

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(S01E12) CITY 101 - Meridian Police Department w/ Chief Tracy Basterrechea - Part 2 of 2

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 18:11:46 GMT

Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea and Mayor Simison continue their conversation about the Meridian Police Department. This is the second and final part of a two-part conversation.

To contact the non-emergency Meridian Police line, please call (208) 888-6678 or email mpd@meridiancity.org.

For more information about the Meridian Police Department, please visit https://meridiancity.org/police.

For more information about MADC, the Meridian Anti-Drug Coalition, please visit https://meridiancity.org/madc/.

Questions about the podcast? Email communications@meridiancity.org.

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(S01E11) CITY 101 - Meridian Police Department w/ Chief Tracy Basterrechea - Part 1 of 2

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 20:27:03 GMT

Police Chief Tracy Basterrechea joins Mayor Simison to talk about the Meridian Police Department. This is part one of a two-part conversation between Chief Basterrechea and Mayor Simison.

For more information about the Meridian Police Department, please visit https://meridiancity.org/police.

Questions about the podcast? Email communications@meridiancity.org.

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(S01E10) CITY 101 - Human Resources w/ HR Director Crystal Ritchie

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 02:17:05 GMT

Human Resources Director Crystal Ritchie joins Mayor Simison to talk about the City of Meridian's HR Department.

For more information about the Human Resources Department, please visit https://meridiancity.org/hr.

Current employment opportunities at the City of Meridian may be found here: https://meridiancity.org/jobs.

Questions about the podcast? Email communications@meridiancity.org.

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(S01E09) CITY 101 - Information Technology w/ CIO Dave Tiede

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 20:00:36 GMT

Chief Information Officer Dave Tiede joins Mayor Simison to talk about the City of Meridian's Information Technology Department.

For more information about the Information Technology Department, please visit https://meridiancity.org/it/.

Learn more about the USA Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency on its official government website: https://www.cisa.gov/.

Questions about the podcast? Email communications@meridiancity.org.

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(S01E08) CITY 101 - Meridian Fire Department w/ Chief Kris Blume

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 14:15:03 GMT

Kris Blume, Fire Chief, joins Mayor Simison to talk about the Meridian Fire Department.

For more information about the Public Works Department, please visit https://meridiancity.org/fire/.

Questions about the podcast? Email communications@meridiancity.org.

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(S01E07) CITY 101 - Public Works w/ PW Director Laurelei McVey

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 14:27:52 GMT

Laurelei McVey, Meridian's Public Works Director, joins Mayor Simison to talk about water, wastewater, and other public works matters.

For more information about the Public Works Department, please visit https://meridiancity.org/public-works/.

For more information about trash and recycling, please visit https://meridiancity.org/environmental/trashtalk.

Informational "It Starts at Home" videos about drinking water, wastewater treatment, solid waste, and recycling may be found in the following links:

To report a streetlight outage, please visit https://meridiancity.org/streetlightmap.

Questions about the podcast? Email communications@meridiancity.org.

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(S01E06) CITY 101 - Parks & Recreation w/ P&R Director Steve Siddoway

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 14:32:28 GMT

Steve Siddoway, Meridian's Parks & Recreation Director, joins Mayor Simison to talk about parks, pathways, and recreational activities.

To learn more about the Meridian Parks & Recreation Department, visit https://meridiancity.org/parks/.

Questions about the podcast? Email communications@meridiancity.org.

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(S01E05) CITY 101 - Community Development w/ ComDev Director Bruce Freckleton

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 14:48:27 GMT

Bruce Freckleton, Meridian's Community Development Director, joins Mayor Simison to talk about land use, city planning, building permits, and more.

Learn more about the Community Development Department by visiting https://meridiancity.org/community-development/.

Questions about the podcast? Email communications@meridiancity.org.

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(S01E04) CITY 101 - City Clerk's Office w/ City Clerk Chris Johnson

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 03:40:42 GMT

Chris Johnson, Meridian's City Clerk, joins Mayor Robert Simison to talk about the functions of the Clerk's Office—everything from dog licenses to passport applications to public records requests.

Information about the City Clerk's Office may be found by visiting https://meridiancity.org/clerk/.

Online records may be found by visiting https://meridiancity.org/records/.

Public records may be requested by visiting https://meridiancity.org/prr/.

Questions about the podcast? Please email communications@meridiancity.org.

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(S01E03) CITY 101 - Finance & Budgeting w/ CFO Todd Lavoie

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 15:01:40 GMT

Todd Lavoie, the City of Meridian's Chief Financial Officer, joins Mayor Robert Simison to talk about the City's finance department, funds, and budgeting process.

Information about the finance department (including the latest fiscal year budget, past audit reports, browsable City financial data via OpenGov, and contact information) may be found by visiting https://meridiancity.org/finance/.

Questions about the podcast? Please email communications@meridiancity.org.

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(S01E02) CITY 101 - City Council w/ Council President Brad Hoaglun

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 03:48:38 GMT

Councilman Brad Hoaglun, the current Council President of the Meridian City Council, joins Mayor Robert Simison to talk about the function of the City Council and the overall mission, vision, and strategic priorities for the City of Meridian.

Information about the Meridian City Council, including contact information for current council members, agendas/minutes for upcoming/previous meetings, and archived videos of past meetings, may be found by visiting https://meridiancity.org/council/.

Information about the City of Meridian's strategic plan may be found by visiting https://meridiancity.org/strategicplan/.

An explanation of the districting process may be found by visiting https://gis.meridiancity.org/portal/apps/storymaps/stories/b427456adcde4705a3e8dcd3dc6b469d, and a Q&A may be found by visiting https://meridiancity.org/government/districting.

Questions about the podcast? Please email communications@meridiancity.org.

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(S01E01) CITY 101 - Overview of Meridian w/ City Attorney Bill Nary

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 19:41:54 GMT

Meridian City Attorney Bill Nary joins Mayor Robert Simison to talk about all things Meridian. Find out how a mayor differs from a city manager, what a commission is, how to distinguish a proclamation from an ordinance or resolution, and much more.

More information about the history of Meridian may be found by visiting https://meridiancity.org/history.

Questions about the podcast? Please email communications@meridiancity.org.

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(S01E00) CITY 101 - Welcome to myMERIDIAN with Mayor Robert Simison

Tue, 06 Sep 2022 12:07:29 GMT

In this introductory trailer, Meridian Mayor Robert Simison introduces the myMERIDIAN podcast and its first bundle of episodes—the CITY 101 series, a crash course in local government.

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